Known Associates | Episode 6: Graham Parker
In episode six of Known Associates, a podcast brought to you by New Pony in affiliation with Southwest Review, the Paranoid Style frontwoman and cultural critic Elizabeth Nelson talks to Graham Parker, the legendary singer-songwriter, who released an incredible run of critically acclaimed and beloved records from 1976 to 1979, including Howlin’ Wind, Heat Treatment, and Squeezing Out Sparks, and he hasn’t stopped putting out albums and touring since. This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Howlin’ Wind as well as Heat Treatment, and it seemed like the right time to sit down and get to know the man behind the music.
During their conversation Elizabeth and Graham talk about the moment when he realized he could write songs, what that was like, his early years, and how he cultivated his young talent to become the songwriting powerhouse he is today (4:55). They also discuss how he got involved with his crackerjack band the Rumour, which featured a murderers’ row of pub rock luminaries (19:25), and they discuss the producers he worked with on his ’70s LPs (24:27). Elizabeth and Graham then get into the iconic Stiff Records legacy and his tangential relationship to the label, and how Stiff co-founder Dave Robinson was integral to his career, but also how Graham didn’t fit into the Stiff Records Punk/New Wave mold. They also discuss how his undeniable talent kept him writing, despite the challenges that every touring musician confronts (32:00). They take a detour into a conversation about Lowell George and Little Feat, a person and a band that mean a lot to both Elizabeth and Graham, and how the Feats and George influenced Parker’s own writing style (39:30). They get back into Parker’s career with a discussion about how he opened for Bob Dylan during a couple of different Dylan tours (46:13), plus how Graham feels when other artists cover his songs (51:47). Elizabeth then asks him about his controversial song “You Can’t Be Too Strong,” the tune’s origin story, and its reception over the years (57:17). Finally, they talk about Graham’s upcoming US tour, his soon-to-be-announced live album, Jay Nachman’s book Graham Parker’s Howlin’ Wind, and what Graham’s future holds (1:05:40).
You can listen to Graham Parker anywhere you stream music, buy his records at your local shops, and keep up with him at his website. Also, be sure to check out Jay Nachman’s book Graham Parker’s ‘Howlin’ Wind. Subscribe to Known Associates and check out Southwest Review’s website. Pick up a subscription to the magazine while you’re at it!
Elizabeth Nelson is a DC-based journalist and singer-songwriter in the band the Paranoid Style. She also hosts the New Pony/Southwest Review podcast Known Associates, where she speaks to fellow writers, artists, and musicians. Her new album—also titled Known Associates—was released on Bar/None Records in February 2026.
(podcast episode mixed by Clay Jones)
